What Is The Cost Of Discipleship?
LENT DEVOTIONAL 2026 | DAY 18
Luke 9:28–62 (NIV)
By Ryan Lim, Chairperson, Church Analytics Ministry
READ:
Luke 9:28–62 (NIV)
Luke 9:57– 62 stands out to me.
Jesus said to the first aspiring follower, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” He told the second, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And to the third, He said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The first is a forewarning that following Jesus might mean sacrificing creature comforts and security. The second is an injunction to put the preaching of God’s word above all, including family obligations. The third is an exhortation to be fully devoted to God and not look back at one’s past life. They all underline the cost of truly following Jesus.
These words made me think about my own discipleship journey. What has been my costly sacrifice? Have I placed sharing God’s word above all other things? Is there anything that is holding me back from full devotion to Him? As I started counting the things I have done or “given up”, I also noted the opposite as well, times when I placed God second or third in line. It wasn’t always something major; often it was small things, like using the heavy rain on a Sunday morning after a late Saturday night as an excuse to skip church, or not being willing to share Christ with an obnoxious person (surely heaven would be better without him, right?). Thinking back, it seems to me that this is not full devotion but a half-hearted one.
God’s gentle nudging reminds me that discipleship is a daily surrender: to deny myself, pick up my cross and follow Jesus. While pondering this passage, v35 suddenly impressed itself on me. “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Thus, in this season of Lent, I need to remember that Jesus is worthy of my full devotion and that my discipleship is on-going every day.
Hence, what I need to do is:
• Spend time with God to hear what He wants me to do.
• Surrender to God’s will and allow Him to lead instead of putting myself in charge.
• In all things to ask myself, how does this glorify God?
Lord, help me remember that following You is not a part-time pursuit, but a daily devotion. Help me to surrender to Your will and to listen to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
[ Reflection Questions ]
- Jesus said, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Are there any worldly things that hinder you from following where Jesus is leading?
- Jesus shares that the Kingdom takes priority over any earthly obligations, good as they may be. Is there a “good” thing in your life that has become an excuse for delaying your “best” response to God?
- Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” What are some things you look back to with longing or regret, and if they prevent you from moving forward with Christ, what action can you take?
